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John Keim
ASHBURN, Va. — Moments before the Washington Commanders executed their concluding offensive play this past Sunday, footage showed quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Deebo Samuel occupying themselves during a timeout by going over their planned touchdown celebration.
Roughly sixty seconds later, their choreographed moves were on display in the end zone, a result of Daniels’ successful pass to Samuel on a critical fourth-and-goal situation from the 8-yard line, contributing to Washington’s 27-10 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“That was a first for me,” Samuel admitted. “Earlier in the week, he shared a TikTok with me suggesting, ‘If either of us scores, we’ve got to nail this.’ We anticipated the play’s potential success and made sure we had the celebration down, and he delivered a perfect pass to the back of the end zone.”
This instance underscores the flourishing bond between Samuel and Daniels. It also contributes to Samuel’s impressive performance in his debut season with Washington, following his acquisition from San Francisco during the offseason.
“I believe the change of environment, the new team, the fresh atmosphere, an exceptional quarterback, skilled coaches, and the overall positive energy surrounding the team all contribute to a feeling of being at home again,” expressed Samuel, who is currently in the final year of his contract.
Samuel, who was acquired in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick, currently leads the Commanders (3-2) with 30 catches, 300 receiving yards, and three touchdowns as they approach their Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC). No other Commander boasts more than 14 catches or 149 receiving yards. Additionally, he has recorded seven rushing attempts for 46 yards.
Samuel’s strong start is why, during training camp, he confidently declared “I’ve still got plenty left” after experiencing one of his less productive seasons in 2024.
Notably, Samuel has achieved this success even with fellow receivers Terry McLaurin sidelined for the past two games and Noah Brown absent for the previous three. Brown, who has been recovering from a groin injury, has resumed full practice this week, while McLaurin has not practiced since sustaining a right quad injury in Week 3.
Furthermore, Samuel is averaging 36.8 yards on six kick returns, although he hasn’t returned kicks since Week 3 due to the absences of McLaurin and Brown.
Samuel’s versatility is a significant asset, mirroring his role during his six seasons with San Francisco. However, there are some distinctions: In Washington, he has predominantly run routes from the slot position (72 times) compared to the outside (35 times). In contrast, with the 49ers last year, he ran 118 routes from the slot and 223 from the outside. His average of 1.4 carries per game is also the lowest since his rookie season in 2019.
Nevertheless, the outcome remains consistent: His ability to line up in various positions has enabled him to maintain his productivity, especially when other players are unavailable.
“He’s replicating everything he did in San [Francisco] here,” Daniels noted. “So, we’re consistently looking for opportunities to get him the ball and enable him to make impactful plays.”
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury highlights how Samuel’s versatility aids in play-calling.
“Everyone is aware of our intention to get him touches,” Kingsbury stated, “but his capacity to play outside, inside, or even at running back gives us, as an offensive staff, the flexibility to be creative in how we utilize him and continue to find avenues to get him the ball.”
This season, Samuel’s target rate stands at 30.2%, marking a career high and placing him fifth among receivers who have run at least 100 routes. In the previous year, it was 21.3%, with his previous career best being 26.3% in 2021, the same year he achieved a career-high of 1,405 receiving yards.
This is partly attributable to the absence of McLaurin and Brown, as well as third-down back Austin Ekeler, who is out for the season due to a torn right Achilles. However, even in the three games where McLaurin was present, Samuel’s target rate remained at 28%, and he led the team with 16 receptions.
Samuel is currently projected to accumulate 1,176 yards from scrimmage, which would be his second-highest career total, provided he plays a complete season, a feat he has yet to achieve. Despite this, he is averaging 16 more yards per game compared to 2024.
He conveyed that he is showcasing his “exceptional ball skills” to the rest of the league.
“I’ve always been adept at making downfield plays with the ball in my hands,” Samuel stated. “And I believe I’ve been executing that effectively.”
Additionally, he noted that McLaurin’s eventual return will represent “another advancement for the team as a whole.”
In McLaurin’s absence, the Commanders have required more contributions, and Samuel has responded with 14 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns over the past two weeks.
“He’s simply a well-rounded player,” tight end Zach Ertz commented. “Kliff excels at maximizing individual skill sets, and he has significantly amplified Deebo’s abilities. … He’s a skilled route runner capable of running the entire route tree. He’s exceptional with the ball, but he’s showcasing his full repertoire here.”
Another facet of Samuel’s game is the energy he injects, as highlighted by coaches and teammates, stemming from both his performance and his personality. They appreciate watching Samuel break tackles, an attribute Kingsbury attributes to his “competitive spirit.”
“He possesses an unparalleled competitive drive,” Kingsbury affirmed. “On game day, his intensity and focus set the tone. When he gets the ball, you know something exciting is about to happen.”
Beyond the field, he exudes energy during practices and in the locker room. During one training camp practice, as players congregated on the field, fans began chanting, “Jayden! Jayden!” Samuel, who was near Daniels, enthusiastically joined the chant, waving his arms to encourage the crowd, while a bashful Daniels hid his face under a towel.
“He’s approachable and laid-back, making him someone people enjoy being around,” noted Daniels, who often socialized with Samuel after he was traded to Washington.
“I’m a naturally energetic person,” Samuel confirmed.
His enthusiasm even extends to team meetings.
“He brings a unique energy to meetings and practices,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn observed earlier this season. “He’s inquisitive, eager to learn, and challenges us with insightful questions like, ‘What if we approached it this way?’ He prompts thoughtful consideration and has been a joy to coach. He genuinely loves the game, and it’s palpable.”
